New current ride

[niteman]

Haven't been around here in quite a while so thought I'd stop by, poke my head in, say hi and show off the new bike. Not really a stable"mate" since it's the only one in the stable now.

Picked her up about a month ago as a brand new '09 left over and got one crazy-heck-of-a-deal on it since I had dealt with the dealer before and they wanted to move it. I know, it's not a Nighthawk, heck it's not even a Honda, but I'm loving it and I was looking for a lightweight, faired, sport-tourer. It's what I picture honda would make if they bothered to make a modern version of the CB650SC and put a fairing on it.

I looked at the NT700V (too expensive and practically unobtainable) and the new VFR (way too expensive, but real sweet) and a hand full of used  VFR's, ST's, FJR's, and the like and this one just spoke to me (both in ergos and wallet language).



The bike is a Suzuki GSX650F. Basically Suzuki dropped the Katana and Bandit lines and this is what they create now, the GSX-F line. There's this one and a 1250 version. The bike is fuel injected, liquid cooled, and geared more for real world riding and less for speed-demon riding like the gsx-r's. It's actually very close to the last Bandit models and a bit of a suzuki parts bin bike.

I can't wait to get past the break-in period and get a real feel for how it will perform once I can take it over 6K rpm. As it is, it's pretty quick and enjoyable even with the 6K rpm limitation...I can still comfortably cruise at 70-75mph in 6th. The standard riding position is spot on for me. The longest ride I've been on with it so far is only an hour and a half one way, but it was super comfortable and there is litterally no buffeting from the windscreen and fairing.

It's great to be back on two wheels, even if it's not a honda. I still have a warm place in my heart for the nighthawks though for sure and I'm sure I'll eventually get another to restore and place in the stable.

Happy riding to all! 

[NightHawked]

  back. Very nice new ride, enjoy. Keep us posted on your review.

[gammer]

Very nice looking bike 
Feel free to stick around and talk bikes/riding, even though you don't have a Nighthawk. There's lots of other past NH owners with new rides that still hang out here.

[luckylindy]

Congrats on the new bike.  I've sat on a 650 at a dealer and it felt very similar to a NH.  Please give us more info after you've ridden it more.       

[isleofmanfan]

Nice score.  Enjoy   

[SirSeanSean]

Wow! Great looking bike. How long is the break-in period usually?

[niteman]

Thanks guys! Nice to have the warm welcome and kind words after a fairly long hiatus from not only this site but the world of 2 wheels in general. This fine forum is still one of the best on the net for sure (but I don't need to tell you guys that)!

I can't wait to be able to give more info on the GSX-F, or "Fandit" as some call it lol. Initial seat-o-pants impressions are all mostly positive. Very smooth and linear power delivery with spot on fuel injection so far. Seat, bars, riding position, are all very natural if a little sporting. The bike is slightly heavy for a modern 650cc but I like that as it feels more planted. It's not so heavy that you have to fight it at all onc moving though. I think it weighs in at around 500lbs wet. Since it's new (had 2 miles on it when I picked it up) I'm going to judiciously follow Suzuki's break-in procedure in hopes to make this thing last many,many years. There's something very warm and fuzzy about knowing that I am the only one putting the miles on this thing and if any user related problems rear their ugly heads I'm the only one to blame. 

Once I get past the first 600 miles and do the first maintenance routine, the engine can be run up to 9K rpm for the next 400 miles. There is a 12.5K rpm redline. After that initial 1000miles, break in is complete and first scheduled valve train check is at 18K miles. Once I can safely and comfortably run it up to 9K rpm I'm positive I will be able to say a great deal more regarding the personality of the bike. Considering it performs as well as it does within the confines of 6K rpm, i can only imagine fun times are ahead.

[JB1290]

Very cool bike. Welcome back and ride safe.

[SteveM]

The Suzuki Bandit 650S, now known as the GSX-650F is a great all around bike and often overlooked. I had a black one back in 2007 that I had bought new and it was a fabulous bike.

[ariwhiteboy]

Cool ride, hope you enjoy it! 

[tomb raider]

Welcome back, I've been looking this year for a new bike. Them lay down bikes kill my hips and back, This may be what I've been looking for. I'll have to hit the shops up on that one, have a sit.....     Keep us posted, nice looking machine....

[niteman]

SteveM, that was a nice looking Bandit you had there. I like that rear seat cover you had on there, might have to look around for one of those.

tomb raider, check this bike out for sure man. I actually found it more comfortable than the FJR they had on their used lot. This is definitely not one of those lay down bikes...those kill me too. I sat on a gsx-r and it was god awful. This really sits alot like the cb650sc that I had and like some of newer cb750's that I've sat on.

[SteveM]

niteman - the rear seat cowl and the tinted screen were out of the UK and made by Powerbronze. I had found a dealer in the USA through eBay.

[fishball]

Love that bike niteman.  I was looking at one to buy from a dealer in Wisconsin just before we moved out east.  My reasoning was the same as yours, upright ergos, motor with a wide power band and I liked the fairing for touring comfort.  The only thing is you either got a custom paint job or your camera color spectrum is way off.  I've only seen that bike in blue/white, black or orange in the US.  I'm assuming if it's an 09' it should be orange.

[niteman]

Thanks fishball. It really seems like a great bile so far.

Color on the camera must just be off. Took ot on my android 4mp phone. It's an 09 black/orange.

[hppants]

If that's the same color as the Busa of this vintage, it is absolutely gorgeous!!!!  Although, like Fishball, from your pic, it's hard for me to tell.  I'd really like to have a bike that color.

[niteman]

Let's see if this shows up better. This is a stock image. Guess I need to get an actual camera instead of my HTC Evo huh?

[NicholasDM]

It's the baby bandit! Same frame, etc... sleeved down motor. :D I've heard they are as outstandingly outstanding as it's 1250 big brother. My roomie has the 1250S and it really is a fantastic bike. It's an absolute tractor from idle to red line with plenty of power and tire to spare.

[RobbieAG]

Great looking bike. I've had my eye on those too. It has many of the same positives as the late model Nighthawk 750 - great all around, all purpose bike though it is a lot more modern in many ways - fuel injection, liquid cooled, better brakes, radial tires, better wind protection etc. Here's a link where it's rated #4 in a list of top 10 Sport Touring bikes.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-top-10s/top-10-sports-tourers/11412-8.html

[happycommuter]

I only became aware this bike exists recently.  I hear it's a bit on the heavy side, but that's not always a bad thing.  Seems very practical, and one of those bikes that I'd snatch up instantly if they'd put a shaft or belt drive on so I wouldn't be stuck oiling a drive chain...

[hangster2]

Welcome back Niteman 

[scoathy]

Great looking bike! Welcome back Niteman. Look forward to hearing more about this bike as you ride it more. :)

[niteman]

Ok everyone, I promise that I will post a decent review/impression of this bike one of these days. Life just keeps getting a little crazy lol.

"It's the baby bandit!" lol, yeah pretty much. That 1250F is a monster! I'd love to have one but don't have any need for that much power really, other than to be more of a hooligan...

RobbieAG, I hadn't seen that article. Put the bike in quite good company there! Rightfully so in my opinion. It is a lot like the later model 750's. I would say one area the 750 has the advantage is it's classic UJM good looks. I sometimes miss the unfaired bike experience honestly.

Hangster(2?) - Welcome back yourself! Last I remember and before I disappeared myself, you were leaving the forum. Glad to see you're still around too!